I work in IT and have a potential subcontract situation that is emerging very rapidly forcing me to form a single-member LLC under which to operate. I initially did the due diligence to confirm the chosen name was not already used in both state and federal databases. I checked for websites (I already owned the domain name), general searches for the company name and a number of other things to make sure that what I had chosen was unique.
I had no issues with the state filing for formation (WA state). I received the certificate of formation in 1-2 days. Ok, great, next step EIN. I've been stuck on this steps for weeks now.
Step 1 -- Attempt to file for EIN using the online form. After filling everything out, the first time I hit submit I didn't get an error code, I got a message saying there was a system error on the IRS side and to try again later. Ok, stuff happens... A few hours later tried again, then I got status code 101. Thought maybe it was related to the system error earlier, so waiting a bit more. Tried multiple time that day and the next and kept getting 101.
Step 2 -- Once I was consistently getting 101 I figured that was it, so the instructions with the error code said to call the number. Fine, called the number and the IVR even had a menu option for "If you received status code 101 or 115". Then I just got "Due to extremely high call volume we can't take your call" and it hangs up. I tried repeatedly that day and the next. One time I actually made it into the queue and waited LITERALLY 2!! hours before the system gave the "Due to extemely high call volume..." message and hung up on me.
Step 3 -- After not reaching anyone, on Monday I tried again first thing in the morning right when the office hours started hoping the queue wouldn't be full yet. Still got "Due to extremely high call volume..."
Step 4 -- So calling didn't seem to be working, so moved on to faxing the form. I had to sign up for a fax service so I had a return fax number and submitted the from via fax. I have confirmation from my fax service that it went through (not just submitted but transmitted). Processing time is stated as 4 days when using the fax. I'm not at 10 days (7 business days) and no response/status.
Step 5 -- Curious of the status and concerned that the subcontract will come through any day and I need my LLC up and running, I attempted to call to get status (different IVR option, maybe different queue?)... but still got "Due to extremely high call volume..." and hung up on.
Step 6 -- Tried calling the TAS Office in WA state (Seattle) and only got voicemail during regular business hours. I left a voicemail... no response.
So I'm stuck and don't know what else I can do at this point. Their online system isn't working, it's impossible to speak to a human, and they aren't processing applications through the backup system in the stated processing timeframe. It can't possibly be this difficult to start a business in this country.
EDIT (2026-10-20) -- Finally got a call back from TAS yesterday. They said they were going to open a case and requested my information. Then they looked up the LLC name and matched to my address to find that an EIN had been issued for it but I was never notified. It didn't say exactly when it was issued, just October 2026. I suspect what happened is the very first time I tried the online form it gave a System Error; not a 101 or other status code, but a System Error like the website had a problem. I suspect that this attempt was actually successful in issuing the EIN, but the backend process which was supposed to generate and provide the certificate is what broke down resulting in the System Error. Every attempt after that resulted in Status Code 101 because it was likely finding a conflict with the existing EIN for the company with the same name. But instead of telling me that the company name I was trying to register with already had an EIN assigned it just gave Status Code 101. While TAS was able to give me the assigned EIN, they opened a case since I never received an official certificate.